Juggalos describe harassment after being labeled "gang" by FBI

The Hatchet Man is the logo of Psychopathic Records, based in Farmington Hills and home of the Insane Clown Posse.

Now that Detroit-based hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse is suing the FBI for classifying its fans as a gang, its record company is bolstering the argument by publishing a biweekly newsletter called "Juggalos Fight Back: Family Under Fire."

Juggalos -- the name given to ICP fans -- are just ordinary music fans, argues the band and its company, Psychopathic Records.

"This gang label is causing a lot of Juggalos to be discriminated against by law enforcement officials and business owners," says Jason Webber, director of public relations for Psychopathic Records in Farmington Hills.

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"Juggalos are routinely pulled over and searched just for having a Hatchet Man sticker," the record company logo, on their car. Not even Dead Heads (frequently associated with drug use) are subjected to that."

The FBI report reads in part, "many Juggalo subsets exhibit ganglike behavior and engage in criminal activity and violence. Law enforcement officials in at least 21 states have identified criminal Juggalo subsets."

Juggalos all over North America have reported incidents of harassment, incarceration, denial of parole or job opportunity and other infringements of civil rights, Psychopathic says in a press release.

In an effort to show the true consequences of this unfair and wholly inaccurate depiction of Juggalos as a "gang," Psychopathic Records is giving Juggalos a chance to air their grievances in their own words. All stories have been submitted via www.juggalosfightback.com or through email to Psychopathic Records and its attorneys.

Joshua M. of Bloomington, Ind., wrote: "I was in Indianapolis about three months ago and went into a gas station. As I was heading to get a soda, the clerk said, 'Hey, we don't serve your kind here.' I was confused so I asked 'What do you mean by that, sir?' Then he said 'You're wearing that ICP Juggalo stuff and Juggalos are a gang. You have two choices, son. One, you leave my store nice and calm or two, I call the law.' So I left but I still don't think that was right."

Deanne S. of Everett, Wash., says she lost custody of her child because of the gang label.

"I lost custody of my daughter recently during a custody battle with the father. The father brought my music preferences in to question at the hearings, calling the courts attention to my being a Juggalo. He told the court that Juggalos are 'meth head cult members who are extremely violent and listen to the Insane Clown Posse together.' Even though I have only baked cookies, played Guitar Hero, taken walks, played with our children at the park, etc. with the Juggalos that I know.

"I ended up having to go through an expensive drug assessment, even though the father didn't accuse me of current drug use at that time. The guardian ad litem's reasoning for this drug assessment was actually because she thought it was important that I prove my credibility to the court since I am a Juggalo. The father submitted pictures of me wearing face paint and a picture of my daughter and I baking a cookie in the shape of a hatchetman.

"As soon as the custody hearing began, it seemed like it was all about the Juggalo issue. I ended up losing primary custody of her and now get to see my daughter three weekends per month. I don't get to participate in any of her school activities unless the father grants permission to do so.

"I don't understand how baking a cookie or wearing face paint like a clown -- nothing more, nothing less -- could be used as such powerful ammo against me in court. The father made up an entire case of lies and won his case because the court ate up everything he said after the Juggalo issue was brought up."